How to change or cancel a Spirit Airlines flight
Editor's Note
With its ultra-low-cost model, Spirit Airlines is one of the most stringent airlines when changing and canceling flights. Especially since Spirit's prices and add-on fees can be fairly high for an ultra-low-cost carrier, you'll want to understand the Spirit Airlines cancellation policy before you book.
Spirit cancellation policy
If you cancel a flight within 24 hours or less from booking and the flight is seven or more days away, you're eligible for a full refund to your original form of payment.
Spirit's change and cancellation policies are the same outside of this period. Here's the sliding scale of fees based on how many days before departure you cancel or change your flight:
| Days before departure | Fee |
|---|---|
60 or more days. | Free. |
31 to 59 days. | $69. |
7 to 30 days. | $99. |
0 to 6 days. | $119. |
Related: Spirit baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
It's worth noting that you may be inadvertently charged other fees when you cancel a Spirit Airlines flight. I was once charged $22.99 in "nonrefundable carrier fees" when I canceled a flight on Spirit:
I contacted Spirit's media relations team about the nonrefundable carrier fees. "The $22.99 was the Passenger Usage Charge from your reservation. This is not typically deducted in addition to the cancellation charge, so it may have been a bug," a spokesperson said.
So, look carefully when canceling a Spirit Airlines flight to ensure you only get charged the cancellation fees.
You'll receive the remaining balance as a reservation credit valid for trips booked within 90 days of issuance. You can use reservation credits to pay for fares, bags, seats, fees and taxes for any guest linked to the original reservation.
Related: How to upgrade your seat on Spirit Airlines
Change your Spirit Airlines flight for free with Flight Flex
You can change your flight once for free with Flight Flex. This option allows you to change your flight's date, time, origin and destination. You can't change the name on your ticket with Flight Flex.
You can purchase Flight Flex when you book. Prices vary (either through a bundle or as a separate add-on), and you must purchase this add-on for all travelers on your reservation. Unfortunately, you can't add Flight Flex after your initial purchase. Flight Flex is a complimentary benefit for Free Spirit Gold members.
Related: Everything you should know before flying Spirit Airlines
Spirit refund policy
Spirit Airlines may have the simplest refund policy in the airline industry. "We do not offer refundable fares — it helps us to keep prices low for all of our passengers," the airline clearly states on its website.
As noted above, you can change or cancel your Spirit flight.
Related: Spirit Airlines' pet policy: Here’s how to fly with your pet on Spirit
How to change a Spirit Airlines flight
To change a Spirit Airlines flight, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Spirit Airlines account or click the "My Trips" tab on the Spirit website to enter your flight information.
- Select the flight you want to change.
- Scroll down until you see the "Change flights" option on the right-hand side.
- Follow the prompts to select a new flight.
If you're not entitled to a refund, you'll get a reservation credit for the remaining balance of the original purchase after Spirit deducts change fees and any other nonrefundable charges.
Related: Watch as we review 2 very different ways of flying Spirit Airlines
Bottom line
The Spirit change and cancellation policy may seem more stingy than some airlines.
There was a time when a $119 change or cancellation fee would have wiped out the entire value of many Spirit Airlines tickets. But, as Spirit has grown its route network, prices have increased. So, even if you need to change or cancel your Spirit flight at the last minute, you still may have enough credit left over to get started on your next trip.
Additional reporting by Kyle Olsen.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.